Advice for New Parents: 20 Hilarious Parenting Tips From My Students

"Make sure your kids don't die and teach them to brush their teeth."

One of the joys of teaching Physical Education is that I get to watch my students grow up. I first meet a student as an enthusiastic first grader, then witness their development into a lanky (and occasionally snarky) teenager who graduates eighth grade ready to take on the world. It’s a remarkable thing to observe — like tuning in to a very slow-paced Animal Planet show — and I’ll get to see this happen with my own child very soon: My wife is set to deliver any day now. While I’m not surprised that the students I get to watch grow up have strong opinions about growing up, in general, I wouldn’t have necessarily guessed they’d have so many parenting tips at the ready. But it turns out, my middle-schoolers are full of advice for new parents.

When my students heard I was going on paternity leave, their reactions were hilarious. “I hear you’re getting a kid,” one boy said, as if I were swinging by the local dealership and picking out the latest model. “That’s awesome.” My coworkers, in an incredibly touching gesture, compiled all the parenting advice from my students into a book. This book is so full of pearls of wisdom, it would be downright selfish to keep them to myself, so I present them to you here. If you just follow these tips, being a dad should be a piece of cake.

This story was submitted by a Fatherly reader. Opinions expressed in the story do not reflect the opinions of Fatherly as a publication. The fact that we’re printing the story does, however, reflect a belief that it is an interesting and worthwhile read.

How to Be Well-Prepared

“I think you should always have a book ready at night to read to your child. Be very firm.” —Paul, second grade

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“In order to be the best dad you must have a book ready for reading at night by 12 p.m. Do not let your child on a screen without supervision until they are 9 years old. If you are giving your child milk, always have it warm because that calms children down.” —Rafa, second grade

“He needs to look after his baby because one time my baby brother climbed up on the kitchen counter and was throwing food.” —Leah, second grade

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How to Be Kind

“I know that babies sometimes do exercises, so Alex would be a good dad because maybe he can teach it exercises when it’s about two. One time I made a snowman.” —Sadie, first grade

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“Make all the food and don’t make your wife do all the stuff. Do most of the stuff for your family and do not make your wife do it. Make sure you let her be happy all the time.” —Liam, second grade (and well aware of the happy wife–happy life balance)

“Be sure to have at least five minutes alone with your daughter to have a conversation every day.” —Pia, sixth grade

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What my students lack in parenting experience, they make up for through the experience of having parents. What struck me about their advice is that it isn’t necessarily the actions that count, but how they are undertaken. Whether we’re reading books, going places, or escaping from the bedroom window thanks to our thoughtfully placed ladder, the important thing is the humor, patience, and presence we bring to these endeavors.

Though cooking hour-long meals for my daughter every time she asks might be unrealistic, it’s touching to know how much such gestures can matter. As adults it can be easy to get caught up in the idea that children need the best gear and the most educational activities. On the cusp of fatherhood, it’s reassuring to know that at the end of the day, taking the time to have a conversation with your daughter could be the most important thing of all.

Alex Tzelnic is a writer and teacher living in Massachusetts. He frequently writes about the intersections of sports, education, mindfulness, and now, fatherhood. You can follow him on Twitter @atz840.